Board Member: Rod Freebairn-Smith
Rod Freebairn-Smith, San Francisco architect, urban designer and lecturer in urban history, holds two degrees in Architecture and Fine Arts from Stanford, and a Master of Urban Design and Architecture from M.I.T. He has taught architecture and planning at U.C. Berkeley, M.I.T., Harvard, the University of Rome, and other universities.
A life member of the Society of Architectural Historians, Rod's forty-year practice in San Francisco has emphasized sensitivity for neighborhood context, preservation work, unique and unusual materials, energy conservation projects, and the fostering of new civic art in the public realm. In addition to his work in San Francisco and many U.S. cities, Rod has also designed projects in Australia, Canada, France and Italy. He recently received an award from the World Engineering Congress for design of a new winery that was recognized as the most energy- and materials-conserving building in the U.S. in 2004.
A San Francisco Arts Commissioner for Civic Design for 11 years working under three Mayors, Rod has also served in numerous other organizations and positions including: member of the North-East Waterfront Citizen's Advisory Committee, Deputy Commissioner of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, President of the Telegraph Hill Dwellers, Director and Advisory Committee of SPUR, the YMCA, the Urban School.
As a Director of RENEW SF, Rod is chairman of the Planning Committee and currently working on various RENEW SF projects that include the conservation, revitalization and beautification of Columbus Avenue from the Transamerica Building to Conrad Square at the Cannery.